sunfloras | Open Post

[ the place used to be a hole-in-the-wall.

which is to say— it still looks the part. small, plaster-walled, with shoe-scuffed wooden flooring: the interior of the bar is clearly the result of a repurposed apartment, complete with an awkward-sized entrance hall that leads into the modest-sized seating area.

it's the kind of place that people wouldn't think twice about. a cozy hideout for tired salarymen who want to escape from the din of the cityscape. the sort of bar that doesn't advertise. the sort of establishment that would never be crowded on a weeknight.

usually.

behind the barcounter tonight is a man that looks both at-home and out-of-place; comfortable among the naturalistic decor, but too put-together to be truly part of the landscape. he's holding a Gimlet in one hand and a Manhattan in the other, fielding orders from manicured hands and curl-ironed hair; the slant of his brows is troubled, but his posture never breaks. neither does his politeness.

it's only when he catches a glimpse of the newcomer that the careful guard seems to drop. warm amber eyes widen first, in surprise, then mellow. his lips curl into a soft smile. ]

—Good evening.

[ he refrains from calling Ai by name (avoiding trouble for now), but subtly gestures to the one open barstool available. ]

[Well, color Ai intrigued. She immediately understands why Lien told her to dress up. Her coat is taken off and she hangs it up on the nearby wall rack while looking around curiously before her gaze lands on Diarmuid. Her hair is completely loose with its edges curled into soft waves and she wears a semi-formal black mini-dress with light gray ruffles. All at once Ai feels out of her element, but also welcomed at once now that she knows what Diarmuid has been doing these past few nights.

She walks over, heels clicking on the floor before sliding herself onto the barstool. With her hands in her lap, she softly greets him.]

... Good evening yourself.

[The atmosphere is so completely different from their usual domestic and calm everyday life (sprinkled in with some of the outside activities, but that's neither here nor there for now). It's more... Mature? Sophisticated? No wonder why she couldn't wear her usual clothes.

Ai leans forward resting her face in her hands and elbows on the bar table.]

So tonight's going to be really different, isn't it?

[ ask him, and Diarmuid would say that he isn't surprised to see Ai here. he'd sensed her long before he'd seen her walk through the door— that pleasant channel between them making his mana sing the closer her taxi brought her to the bar they're now both occupying.

his attire is black, to match. a vest and tie in the color of his dark hair, a crisp white shirt with its sleeves rolled up to his elbow.

he leans on the counter, and his one unruly bang sways over the bridge of his nose. ]

I'm not certain of that. [ something about the glint in his eyes turns a touch conspiratorial; he may be a dog that likes his leash as much as his freedom, but he still knows how to bark. ] I'll still be the one serving you, after all.

[That was a strangely cheeky reply coming from him; not that Ai hasn't seen that particular side of Diarmuid before, but it does have the impression of coming out of left field when he allows it to show up.

(and it always disarms her, always, and it's so stupidly pleasant)]

Oh?

[Ai glances to the side because she's sure that looking at him too long will make her too flustered and they're technically in public. Not that it helps much, she's already pink in her cheeks and there's not even a drop of drink in her, silly girl.]

I'll admit, I don't know what kind of expectations I should have come in with then. But if it's you... I'll leave it to you to show me what's in store.

[ooooh she's sitting calmly, but the inner reality of her mind is that she's yelling inwardly for flirting with him so blatantly in this space what is this, what is this, what is this]

[ so bold... it's evident to all the onlookers now that the two know each other— to what extent, he can still keep them guessing.

a chorus of murmurs floods the room, but he smiles despite it. a napkin slides across the counter towards Ai, and a glass of cold water next to it. ever-prepared. ]

I'll do my utmost not to disappoint.

[ anyone who doesn't know him will perceive this as a formality; Ai would be able to notice the slight lilt at the end of his statement, the lift at the end of his voice that makes his promise a semi-challenge.

"i want to impress you." ]

Do you have any preferences? [ something light? bitter? fruity? ] Or you could do me the honor of surprising you.

[Her answer is immediate.]

Surprise me, please.

[She knows this song and dance. If Ai didn't take this challenge, who was she to call herself worthy when it came to Diarmuid?]

Show me what you got.

[ his arm sweeps, and he bows his head in quintessential medieval fashion. a gesture that looks fitting for a knight, but more importantly for now— a bartender. ]

If the Lady wills it.

[ still a little cheeky; he hasn't referred to Ai as "Lady" or "Mistress" in ages.

with that, he turns on his heels to survey his options. bottles of various colors litter the wall in a kaleidoscope of spirits and syrups; Diarmuid chooses from the array with gentle precision, gold eyes narrowed in focus and concentration.

Ai might notice his picks. jasmine green tea, fresh water, gin, honey. stirred, shaken, and poured— the end result is a beautiful martini, garnished with a delicate flower. ]

A "jasmine sunrise". [ he states simply, as he passes Ai the drink. a Diarmuid original. ] It goes without saying that I had inspiration.

[She's patiently waiting and just content to look at his broad back as he makes his selections for her drink. And when he presents it to her she laughs a little at the reasoning behind it.]

Flatterer.

[Ai delicately takes the glass between her fingers with one hand and brings it to her lips. The floral scent tickles her nose and washes over her tongue, intertwined with the honey sweetness and the slight bitterness of the gin.

She swallows and looks quite pleased.]

... It's really lovely. Not overwhelming, but it's kind of dangerous how relaxing it is.

[Ai has that glowing beam of hers that gives some onlookers pause. It's just so pure in its affection that's directed at the golden-eyed bartender.]

You always try and notice the types of scents I like don't you? I'm always impressed by the attention to detail.

[ she warms, and he follows suit. the arch of his brows becomes kinder, the set of his mouth softer; for all the crowing about his looks, he thinks that he'll never match the easy beauty that Ai wears on her sleeve.

bare elbows resting on varnished wood, Diarmuid leans forward. the posture is intimate: the slant of his shoulders speaks to quiet privacy. ]

What would I be, if I weren't attentive?

[ what kind of knight would he be, if he couldn't notice what makes his precious person smile? but it isn't just that, is it?

(so many people mistake his chivalry for something cut-and-dry, but he's always been selfish and human about his wish. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne is no saint.) ]

Though I owe most of my practical skills to Cu Chulainn. ...Erin's Child of Light is a man of many talents.

What, you weren't born with bartending in your blood?

[Ai takes another sip, smiling all the while in jest.]

Although, now that you mention it, whenever we're about in town, he always seems to be doing something different.

[She blinks when it occurs to her...]

... He's not working here too, is he?

[May or may not be glancing around suspiciously, not because she didn't like Cu, but he has a way of also disarming her in a different way than Diarmuid.]

He is.

[ he lets that linger, light words playing at Ai's suspicion. it's not that he wants her to feel awkward, but—

—she's cute when she's disarmed. some part of him is a bit envious, that Cu manages to garner such specific reactions out of his Master. ]

...Though today is his 'day off'. [ which is why Lien probably brought Ai here tonight, of all nights. Diarmuid will have to remember to repay Lien for her astuteness. ] I hope you're not disappointed.

Disappointed? [There's a short pause that fills the air before it lands.]

Oh.

[She knows he's teasing her, but still, it does cause her to blush a bit more deeply. It's the drink, she can blame that.]

You know it's not like that and... Oh, what am I saying?

I'm relieved, but somehow I ended up being teased again.

[ it's ridiculous— he really shouldn't be toying with Ai's patience like this. but he laughs despite himself, nose wrinkling in barely-concealed fondness at his Master's simple honesty.

he looks younger for it; a little less 'knight', a bit more 'Diarmuid Ua Duibhne'. ]

My apologies.

[ spoilers: he's not particularly sorry. ] By all means, scold me for speaking out of turn.

[While Ai can't see what kind of expression she's making, she can feel it and so her hands automatically fly up to cover the whole of her face.]

H-How can you apologize and then tell me to scold you? I-In front of everyone too!

[Her voice is sputtering, muffled as it is. She's too aware of how now, she's just used to being affectionate in private with him, but Ai is still quite shy when it comes to expressing it openly.]

[ right. they're in public, aren't they? he'd almost forgotten— the lull's settled, and he has to cast his attention sideways to notice that there are eyes watching. nearly every head, turned their way.

his brow hikes. the eyes on them disperse, hurriedly. ]

I'll wait for another opportunity to be scolded by you, then.

[ a huff of a laugh, and he straightens up. ] When there are less people in the room.

[She peeks behind her fingers and only lowers them slightly so that her voice can get back its clarity.]

So... Does that mean...?

[Ai then reaches out with one hand to take another sip of her drink before murmuring in a lower tone so only he can make out what she says.]

Does that mean you like it when I monopolize you?

[ what a question.

it's the sort of question most people would balk at— monopolization isn't synonymous with romanticism, after all. belonging to someone is, in fact, an antiquated concept.

but Diarmuid will be Diarmuid. eager to give everything, for every inch of him to be trusted. he hears the soft implication from the lips of the young woman he swore himself to, and smiles. ]

Have I done anything to make you doubt it?

[ funny— for someone so humble, there's only conviction in the way he phrases his response. ]

From the start, I've wanted nothing more than to be yours, and yours alone. [ lord ]

[Good lord indeed. If it was physically possible, one would be able to see the steam emitting from the top of Ai's head.

And so, she leans forward, shaking her finger at him.]

You don't have to be so vulnerable to me right now, okay?

[Ah, she's scolding him after all.]

I like it, but it's also overwhelming!

[ ah......... did he overdo it again!!!! Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, fated always to be Too Much. ]

Hm.

[ a low noise of consideration. he really doesn't know... that he's this Extra... ]

I see. It would be uncouth of me to fluster you in public.

[She nods, sitting back down and crossing her arms. To be fair, it's not entirely serious coming from her, but Ai also does not want to suffer from a heart attack from this uselessly handsome man.]

I mean, not that it isn't normal... But sometimes, I'm a bit too reactive, don't you agree?

Edited 2020-01-23 08:14 (UTC)

[ "useless" is an appropriate term... he laughs, and turns to pour one of the other customers a gin and tonic. might as well work for his under-the-table salary. ]

No more reactive than most kings and queens. [ no, seriously, she isn't. ] Trust me when I say that you'd be considered fairly temperate.

[ Fionn was... Fionn, after all. one day he'll show up and Ai will learn how truly temperate she is... ]

[Oh yeah, from where Diarmuid's coming from, those encounters usually ended with a duel, a fight against armies, curses and geas, and magic fish...

Her brow wrinkles for a second before she relaxes and slowly finishes her drink and watches him while he works.]

Well, with that out of the way, I did want to mention that you picked this up really quick didn't you? Bartending isn't easy.

[ now that he's back to taking requests, he finds himself drifting back and forth across the length of the barcounter to slide an array of cocktails to waiting faces. he's more relaxed about it than one would imagine; the only reason he's doing this at all is because someone had the foresight to enclose the bar with some manner of magical shield. his Charm magic is reduced to a vague impulse in others that only surfaces every now and then.

wiping his hands over his apron, he looks over his shoulder at Ai. ]

It was difficult. [ he admits. ] It still is, but yet again— [ reaching under the counter for something ] —I have Cu Chulainn to thank for some of the more difficult demands.

[ it's a cheat sheet for recipes. where would we be without Cu... ]

[She scans the cheat sheet of the drink recipes taking note of the ones that interested her.]

I'm glad he helped you out. It must have been fun in its own way, I hope?

Although... You didn't have trouble with...?

[She gestures to the corner of her eye, to silently indicate that she's asking about the charmed spot.]

As much trouble as you would expect.

[ which is to say, Some Trouble, but not bad enough for him to quit the job entirely. something sardonic touches at his smile, tired and resigned.

still, he has the wherewithal now to speak candidly about it. progress!! ]

But nothing that would be an inconvenience for you.

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